take an axe to en · VERB
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To boldly demolish, delete, or discontinue (something).
How much you wanna bet on whether they're hatching secret plans to take an axe to the entire Social Security system?
-
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: to boldly and forcefully demolish, cut up, cut down, etc.
The firefighters were not messing around — they took an axe to the locked door.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| took an axe to | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| taken an axe to | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| taking an axe to | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| takes an axe to | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |
Relateds
chainsaw consultant · hatchet job · deadwood · dead wood · take up the hatchet · slash · chopping block